OBJECTIVE: This study reports the first imported case of Lassa fever (LF) in China. Laboratory detection and molecular epidemiological analysis of the Lassa virus (LASV) from this case offer valuable insights for the prevention and control of LF. METHODS: Samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood, urine, saliva, and environmental materials were collected from the patient and their close contacts for LASV nucleotide detection. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on positive samples to analyze the genetic characteristics of the virus. RESULTS: LASV was detected in the patient's CSF, blood, and urine, while all samples from close contacts and the environment tested negative. The virus belongs to the lineage IV strain and shares the highest homology with strains from Sierra Leone. The variability in the glycoprotein complex (GPC) among different strains ranged from 3.9% to 15.1%, higher than previously reported for the seven known lineages. Amino acid mutation analysis revealed multiple mutations within the GPC immunogenic epitopes, increasing strain diversity and potentially impacting immune response. CONCLUSION The case was confirmed through nucleotide detection, with no evidence of secondary transmission or viral spread. The LASV strain identified belongs to lineage IV, with broader GPC variability than previously reported. Mutations in the immune-related sites of GPC may affect immune responses, necessitating heightened vigilance regarding the virus.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Genome, Viral ; Lassa Fever/virology* ; Lassa virus/classification* ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Phylogeny

Objective To evaluate the management and indicators of pathogen detection before antimicrobial treat-ment for inpatients in second level and above medical institutions(MIs)in Guangdong Province,and provide direc-tion and decision-making basis for the improvement of pathogen detection quality in the region.Methods The ma-nagement status,information system functions,and pathogen detection rate indicators of secondary and above MIs in 21 cities in Guangdong Province was surveyed through online questionnaire surveys and system submission.A baseline survey on sentinel monitoring MIs was conducted from July 15th to August 8th,2023.From November 7th to 30th,a baseline survey on non-sentinel monitoring MIs was launched.Surveys on indicator information of all MIs were completed from January 15th to 30th,2024.Results A total of 265 MIs were surveyed,and the proportions of establishing special working groups(83.98％),developing special action improvement plans(79.01％),estab-lishing pathogen detection rate management systems(91.71％),and developing management assessment plans(76.80％)of tertiary MIs were all higher than that of secondary MIs,differences were all statistically significant(all P＜0.05).The proportion of tertiary MIs with various information system functions was higher than that of secondary MIs(all P＜0.05).The pathogen detection rate(61.07％)before antimicrobial treatment and health-care-associated infection(HAI)diagnosis-related pathogen detection rate(88.00％)of inpatients in tertiary MIs were both higher than those in secondary MIs(both P＜0.05).Among different types of MIs,pathogen detection rate before antimicrobial treatment of inpatients in maternal and child health MIs was higher than that in other types of MIs.HAI diagnosis-related pathogen detection rate in other specialized hospitals was the highest,and pathogen detection rate before combined use of key antimicrobial treatment in traditional Chinese medicine hospitals was the lowest,differences were all statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Tertiary MIs have more advantages in management strategies and information technology construction than secondary MIs,secondary MIs need more guidance and support.Monitoring and analysis of pathogen detection rate indicators in MIs of different levels and types should be strengthened through special actions.

Objective To evaluate the management and indicators of pathogen detection before antimicrobial treat-ment for inpatients in second level and above medical institutions(MIs)in Guangdong Province,and provide direc-tion and decision-making basis for the improvement of pathogen detection quality in the region.Methods The ma-nagement status,information system functions,and pathogen detection rate indicators of secondary and above MIs in 21 cities in Guangdong Province was surveyed through online questionnaire surveys and system submission.A baseline survey on sentinel monitoring MIs was conducted from July 15th to August 8th,2023.From November 7th to 30th,a baseline survey on non-sentinel monitoring MIs was launched.Surveys on indicator information of all MIs were completed from January 15th to 30th,2024.Results A total of 265 MIs were surveyed,and the proportions of establishing special working groups(83.98％),developing special action improvement plans(79.01％),estab-lishing pathogen detection rate management systems(91.71％),and developing management assessment plans(76.80％)of tertiary MIs were all higher than that of secondary MIs,differences were all statistically significant(all P＜0.05).The proportion of tertiary MIs with various information system functions was higher than that of secondary MIs(all P＜0.05).The pathogen detection rate(61.07％)before antimicrobial treatment and health-care-associated infection(HAI)diagnosis-related pathogen detection rate(88.00％)of inpatients in tertiary MIs were both higher than those in secondary MIs(both P＜0.05).Among different types of MIs,pathogen detection rate before antimicrobial treatment of inpatients in maternal and child health MIs was higher than that in other types of MIs.HAI diagnosis-related pathogen detection rate in other specialized hospitals was the highest,and pathogen detection rate before combined use of key antimicrobial treatment in traditional Chinese medicine hospitals was the lowest,differences were all statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Tertiary MIs have more advantages in management strategies and information technology construction than secondary MIs,secondary MIs need more guidance and support.Monitoring and analysis of pathogen detection rate indicators in MIs of different levels and types should be strengthened through special actions.

This study was aimed at understanding the Blastocystis,Enteroc ytozoon bieneusi,Cryptosporidium spp.,Gi-ardia duodenalis,and Pentatrichomonas hominis infection status in Chinese Milu deer(Elaphurus davidianus)in various prov-inces of China.A total of 81 fecal samples were collected from Beijing,Inner Mongolia,Hebei,and Hubei.PCR was used to detect the protozoans,and their subtypes and zoonoticity were determined through sequence and phylogenetic analyses.PCR re-sults indicated an infection prevalence of 40.74％,19.75％,and 8.64％for Blastocystis,E.bieneusi,and Cryptosporidium spp.,respectively,whereas G.duodenalis and P.hominis was not detected.Only one subtype of Cryptosporidium spp.(Cryptosporidium deer genotype)was detected.Four E.biene-usi genotypes were detected:HLJD-V,MWC-d1,BEB6,and CGC2.Five Blastocystis ST types were found:ST10,ST14,ST21,ST23,and ST25.Cryptosporidium spp.,E.bieneusi,and Blastocystis infections were prevalent,and zoonotic subtypes or genotypes of E.bieneusi and Blastocystis were i-dentified.The prevention and control of intestinal protozoa in Chinese Milu deer would support population health and is im-portant for public health.

Objective:To investigate two cases of rare pathogenic genes,initiation codon mutations in HBA2 gene,combined with Southeast Asian deletion and their family members to understand the relationship of HBA2:c.2T＞C and HBA2:c.2delT mutations with clinical phenotype.Methods:The peripheral blood of family members was obtained for blood cell analysis and capillary electrophoresis hemoglobin analysis.Gap-PCR and reverse dot blotting(RDB)were used to detect common types of mutations in α-thalassaemia gene.Sanger sequencing was used to analyze HBA1 and HBA2 gene sequence.Results:Two proband genotypes were identified as--SEA/αα with HBA2:c.2T＞C and--SEA/αα with HBA2:c.2delT.HBA2:c.2T＞C/WT and HBA2:c.2delT/WT was detected in family members.They all presented with microcytic hypochromic anemia.Conclusion:When HBA2:c.2T＞C and HBA2:c.2delT are heterozygous that can lead to static α-thalassemia phenotype,and when combined with mild α-thalassemia,they can lead to the clinical manifestations of hemoglobin H disease.This study provides a basis for genetic counseling.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of Pseudomonas aeruginosa injection in preventing reurrent urinary tract infection in women. Methods:This was a multicenter, randomized, open, positive-controlled, non-inferiority trial involving female patients with recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) who were admitted to 11 medical centers in China. Inclusion criteria: ①Aged 18-70 years, with verifiable clinical data showing at least 3 episodes of acute UTIs within 1 year and at least 2 episodes within 6 months, and cured by antimicrobial therapy; ② At the time of enrollment, the patients had no obvious symptoms of urinary tract irritation, normal white blood cell count in midstream urine routine (within the normal range of laboratory standards of each unit) or ≤3HP by centrifuge microscopy, negative leucocyte esterase and nitrite, and negative urine culture; ③No abnormal urinary anatomic function (such as urinary obstruction, calculus or congenital urinary malformation) and residual urine volume ≤50 ml were detected by B-ultrasound of urinary system; ④Informed consent signed by the person or agent; ⑤Clear consciousness, able to answer questions independently, according to the requirements of the test plan to complete the research questionnaire. Exclusion criteria: ①Patients allergic to the above drugs; ②Any complex signs of urinary tract infection or pyelonephritis (manifested as low back pain, fever ≥37.3℃, systemic symptoms); ③Drugs affecting immune function were used within 7 days before randomization; ④Patients with basic diseases of urinary system such as obstruction, calculus, urinary stenosis, vesicoureteral reflux or other functional abnormalities, urine diversion, indwelling catheter or stent tube or intermittent catheterization; ⑤Combined with or existing systemic lupus erythematosus, AIDS and other diseases that can lead to systemic immune function abnormalities; ⑥Patients who are known or suspected to be pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy within 3 months of stopping the drug; ⑦Patients with malignant tumors and mental patients; ⑧Persons who have received any other investigational drug treatment or participated in another interventional clinical trial within 4 weeks prior to screening; ⑨Failure to comply with the trial protocol or other conditions deemed unsuitable for enrollment by the investigator. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. The experimental group was given Pseudomonas aeruginosa injection for 5 times, 0.5 ml for the first time, and 1 ml/ time per week for the following 4 weeks. The control group was given fosfomycin aminotriol 3g orally, once every 10 days, for 9 consecutive times. The patients were followed up for 6 to 8 months, during which urinary tract symptoms developed and routine urine tests showed abnormally elevated white blood cells, which was defined as recurrent UTIs. Urine routine, liver and kidney function, and urinary secretory immunoglobulin A(SIgA) were reviewed 0-2 days (V2) after the 5th administration of the experimental group and the 4th administration of the control group. Urine routine and urine SIgA were reviewed at (90±10) d (V3) and (180±10) d (V4) after treatment. At (270±10) d (V5) after treatment, the recurrence (re-infection caused by the same species of bacteria) or re-infection (re-infection caused by non-same species of bacteria) of the two groups were compared, and non-inferiority analysis was performed, and the non-inferiority threshold was set at 0.2. Results:From March 2021 to May 2022, a total of 152 rUTIs patients were enrolled in this study, including 80 patients in the experimental group, 71 patients in the intention-to-analysis set (ITT) and 66 patients in the protocol analysis set (PPS). In the control group, 72 cases met ITT in 69 cases and PPS in 67 cases. There were no significant differences in age, body mass index, marital status, duration of urinary tract infection, history of diabetes, history of previous major surgery, history of infection, and urinary SIgA between the two groups (all P>0.05). The recurrence rates of the experimental group and the control group at V5 time point were 44.78% (30/67) and 42.65% (29/68), respectively ( P=0.803) (ITT data set analysis results showed that the difference in recurrence rates between the two groups was 0.0213(95% CI-0.1460-0.1886, P=0.0048). PPS data set analysis showed that the difference of recurrence rate between the two groups was -0.0021(95%CI -0.1711-0.1670, P=0.0109), and the recurrence rate of the experimental group was not worse than that of the control group. At V2 time points, there were no significant differences in liver and kidney function indexes between test group and control group ( P>0.05). At V2 to V4 time points, urinary SIgA of test group and control group were 0.90 (0.37, 2.89) mg/L and 1.32 (0.34, 3.08) mg/L, 1.54 (0.44, 3.23) mg/L and 1.71 (0.27, 2.92) mg/L, 1.11 (0.65, 3.42) mg/L and 2.18 (0.43, 3.26) mg/L, there was no statistical significance ( P>0.05). The incidence of adverse events in the experimental group was 30.0% (24/80), including 14 cases of redness, pain and discomfort at the injection site, 5 cases of fever, 2 cases of allergic rash, and 1 case of urticaria, headache and constipation each. The incidence of adverse events in the control group was 5.6% (4/72), all of which were diarrhea, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P<0.01). No life-threatening serious adverse events occurred in both groups, and all adverse events were self-healing without additional intervention. Conclusions:Compared with fosfomycin aminotriol, Pseudomonas aeruginosa injection has the same clinical effect in preventing rUTI and has good safety.

This study was aimed at understanding the Blastocystis,Enteroc ytozoon bieneusi,Cryptosporidium spp.,Gi-ardia duodenalis,and Pentatrichomonas hominis infection status in Chinese Milu deer(Elaphurus davidianus)in various prov-inces of China.A total of 81 fecal samples were collected from Beijing,Inner Mongolia,Hebei,and Hubei.PCR was used to detect the protozoans,and their subtypes and zoonoticity were determined through sequence and phylogenetic analyses.PCR re-sults indicated an infection prevalence of 40.74％,19.75％,and 8.64％for Blastocystis,E.bieneusi,and Cryptosporidium spp.,respectively,whereas G.duodenalis and P.hominis was not detected.Only one subtype of Cryptosporidium spp.(Cryptosporidium deer genotype)was detected.Four E.biene-usi genotypes were detected:HLJD-V,MWC-d1,BEB6,and CGC2.Five Blastocystis ST types were found:ST10,ST14,ST21,ST23,and ST25.Cryptosporidium spp.,E.bieneusi,and Blastocystis infections were prevalent,and zoonotic subtypes or genotypes of E.bieneusi and Blastocystis were i-dentified.The prevention and control of intestinal protozoa in Chinese Milu deer would support population health and is im-portant for public health.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of Pseudomonas aeruginosa injection in preventing reurrent urinary tract infection in women. Methods:This was a multicenter, randomized, open, positive-controlled, non-inferiority trial involving female patients with recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) who were admitted to 11 medical centers in China. Inclusion criteria: ①Aged 18-70 years, with verifiable clinical data showing at least 3 episodes of acute UTIs within 1 year and at least 2 episodes within 6 months, and cured by antimicrobial therapy; ② At the time of enrollment, the patients had no obvious symptoms of urinary tract irritation, normal white blood cell count in midstream urine routine (within the normal range of laboratory standards of each unit) or ≤3HP by centrifuge microscopy, negative leucocyte esterase and nitrite, and negative urine culture; ③No abnormal urinary anatomic function (such as urinary obstruction, calculus or congenital urinary malformation) and residual urine volume ≤50 ml were detected by B-ultrasound of urinary system; ④Informed consent signed by the person or agent; ⑤Clear consciousness, able to answer questions independently, according to the requirements of the test plan to complete the research questionnaire. Exclusion criteria: ①Patients allergic to the above drugs; ②Any complex signs of urinary tract infection or pyelonephritis (manifested as low back pain, fever ≥37.3℃, systemic symptoms); ③Drugs affecting immune function were used within 7 days before randomization; ④Patients with basic diseases of urinary system such as obstruction, calculus, urinary stenosis, vesicoureteral reflux or other functional abnormalities, urine diversion, indwelling catheter or stent tube or intermittent catheterization; ⑤Combined with or existing systemic lupus erythematosus, AIDS and other diseases that can lead to systemic immune function abnormalities; ⑥Patients who are known or suspected to be pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy within 3 months of stopping the drug; ⑦Patients with malignant tumors and mental patients; ⑧Persons who have received any other investigational drug treatment or participated in another interventional clinical trial within 4 weeks prior to screening; ⑨Failure to comply with the trial protocol or other conditions deemed unsuitable for enrollment by the investigator. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. The experimental group was given Pseudomonas aeruginosa injection for 5 times, 0.5 ml for the first time, and 1 ml/ time per week for the following 4 weeks. The control group was given fosfomycin aminotriol 3g orally, once every 10 days, for 9 consecutive times. The patients were followed up for 6 to 8 months, during which urinary tract symptoms developed and routine urine tests showed abnormally elevated white blood cells, which was defined as recurrent UTIs. Urine routine, liver and kidney function, and urinary secretory immunoglobulin A(SIgA) were reviewed 0-2 days (V2) after the 5th administration of the experimental group and the 4th administration of the control group. Urine routine and urine SIgA were reviewed at (90±10) d (V3) and (180±10) d (V4) after treatment. At (270±10) d (V5) after treatment, the recurrence (re-infection caused by the same species of bacteria) or re-infection (re-infection caused by non-same species of bacteria) of the two groups were compared, and non-inferiority analysis was performed, and the non-inferiority threshold was set at 0.2. Results:From March 2021 to May 2022, a total of 152 rUTIs patients were enrolled in this study, including 80 patients in the experimental group, 71 patients in the intention-to-analysis set (ITT) and 66 patients in the protocol analysis set (PPS). In the control group, 72 cases met ITT in 69 cases and PPS in 67 cases. There were no significant differences in age, body mass index, marital status, duration of urinary tract infection, history of diabetes, history of previous major surgery, history of infection, and urinary SIgA between the two groups (all P>0.05). The recurrence rates of the experimental group and the control group at V5 time point were 44.78% (30/67) and 42.65% (29/68), respectively ( P=0.803) (ITT data set analysis results showed that the difference in recurrence rates between the two groups was 0.0213(95% CI-0.1460-0.1886, P=0.0048). PPS data set analysis showed that the difference of recurrence rate between the two groups was -0.0021(95%CI -0.1711-0.1670, P=0.0109), and the recurrence rate of the experimental group was not worse than that of the control group. At V2 time points, there were no significant differences in liver and kidney function indexes between test group and control group ( P>0.05). At V2 to V4 time points, urinary SIgA of test group and control group were 0.90 (0.37, 2.89) mg/L and 1.32 (0.34, 3.08) mg/L, 1.54 (0.44, 3.23) mg/L and 1.71 (0.27, 2.92) mg/L, 1.11 (0.65, 3.42) mg/L and 2.18 (0.43, 3.26) mg/L, there was no statistical significance ( P>0.05). The incidence of adverse events in the experimental group was 30.0% (24/80), including 14 cases of redness, pain and discomfort at the injection site, 5 cases of fever, 2 cases of allergic rash, and 1 case of urticaria, headache and constipation each. The incidence of adverse events in the control group was 5.6% (4/72), all of which were diarrhea, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P<0.01). No life-threatening serious adverse events occurred in both groups, and all adverse events were self-healing without additional intervention. Conclusions:Compared with fosfomycin aminotriol, Pseudomonas aeruginosa injection has the same clinical effect in preventing rUTI and has good safety.

Objective::Many studies have shown that blood glucose fluctuations (GFs) are more harmful to patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) than sustained hyperglycemia. However, the effect of GF on electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters and vulnerability to ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF) remains poorly characterized. This study aimed to assess the effect of GF on ECG parameters and induction of VT/VF in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats.Methods::Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with STZ and randomly divided into 3 treatment groups: controlled STZ-induced diabetic rats (C-STZ) ( n = 10); uncontrolled STZ-induced diabetic rats (U-STZ) ( n = 10); and STZ-induced diabetic rats with glucose fluctuations (GF-STZ) ( n = 10). After 12 weeks, baseline ECG recordings were taken and a VT/VF test was performed with the administration of caffeine and dobutamine. Hematoxylin & eosin and masson staining were used to evaluate pathological cardiac changes after intervention. Results::No significant difference in heart rate, RR interval, P wave (duration and height), PR segment, PR interval, QRS wave duration, and T wave height was observed among the 3 groups ( P > 0.05). Compared with the C-STZ group, the U-STZ and GF-STZ groups both had a longer T wave duration ((62.41 ± 2.38) ms vs. (78.37 ± 4.64) ms and (96.06 ± 4.60) ms, P < 0.05), QT interval ((83.66 ± 2.31) ms vs. (101.75 ± 4.56) ms and (119.14 ± 4.88) ms, P < 0.05), and QTc interval ((77.45 ± 1.36) ms vs. (91.36 ± 3.49) ms and (104.55 ± 3.01) ms, P < 0.05), all of which were longest in the GF-STZ group ( P < 0.05). Additionally, the GF-STZ group had the highest VT/VF occurrence and duration and the highest arrhythmia score. Conclusion::This study revealed GF can significantly prolong the QT interval, QTc interval, and T wave duration, as well as increase vulnerability to VT/VF in rats, which may be an important electrophysiological mechanism of GF-related ventricular arrhythmia.

Objective::Many studies have shown that blood glucose fluctuations (GFs) are more harmful to patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) than sustained hyperglycemia. However, the effect of GF on electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters and vulnerability to ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF) remains poorly characterized. This study aimed to assess the effect of GF on ECG parameters and induction of VT/VF in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats.Methods::Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with STZ and randomly divided into 3 treatment groups: controlled STZ-induced diabetic rats (C-STZ) ( n = 10); uncontrolled STZ-induced diabetic rats (U-STZ) ( n = 10); and STZ-induced diabetic rats with glucose fluctuations (GF-STZ) ( n = 10). After 12 weeks, baseline ECG recordings were taken and a VT/VF test was performed with the administration of caffeine and dobutamine. Hematoxylin & eosin and masson staining were used to evaluate pathological cardiac changes after intervention. Results::No significant difference in heart rate, RR interval, P wave (duration and height), PR segment, PR interval, QRS wave duration, and T wave height was observed among the 3 groups ( P > 0.05). Compared with the C-STZ group, the U-STZ and GF-STZ groups both had a longer T wave duration ((62.41 ± 2.38) ms vs. (78.37 ± 4.64) ms and (96.06 ± 4.60) ms, P < 0.05), QT interval ((83.66 ± 2.31) ms vs. (101.75 ± 4.56) ms and (119.14 ± 4.88) ms, P < 0.05), and QTc interval ((77.45 ± 1.36) ms vs. (91.36 ± 3.49) ms and (104.55 ± 3.01) ms, P < 0.05), all of which were longest in the GF-STZ group ( P < 0.05). Additionally, the GF-STZ group had the highest VT/VF occurrence and duration and the highest arrhythmia score. Conclusion::This study revealed GF can significantly prolong the QT interval, QTc interval, and T wave duration, as well as increase vulnerability to VT/VF in rats, which may be an important electrophysiological mechanism of GF-related ventricular arrhythmia.